The terminator (Harbhajan Singh) reportedly slapped Sreesanth in an IPL Match held between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians. Analyzing the scenario in which Bhaji slapped Sreesanth is an interesting one. Sreesanth was provoking and sledging his opponent team – the Mumbai Indians from time to time. Harbhajan Singh at that point of time was a stand-in skipper for the Mumbai Indians team. Captaincy was a new task assigned to him. 3 back to back losses was a major setback to their Team. At this juncture, the witty Sreesanth passed some provoking remarks to Harbhajan Singh which triggered anguish and anger, and resulted in slap. Certain set of sources say that Sreesanth wanted to give it back to Bhaji but was restrained by security guards and fellow team-mates. Both the players should have reacted in a mature way which would have shown the game in the right spirits.

After the trial, Farooq Engineer (Match Referee) banned Harbhajan Singh from playing 11 IPL matches and warned Sreesanth to behave in a professional way in the matches to come. The issue did not stop from here but has also been escalated to BCCI which has expressed anguish over Harbhajan’s unruly behavior. Bhaji is awaiting a decision from BCCI which might impose heavy penalty on his career in International Cricket.

Sachin has always silenced his criticizers by letting his bat do the talking. Generally Sachin remains silent when questions rose about his fitness. Sachin has got a history of injury woes that has threatened his career – back injury, toe injury, finger injury (thumb) and a very painful tennis elbow and adding to the list is groin injury.

Sachin in the past has risen victorious by overcoming all these injuries. One would expect him to silence all his critics who wouldn’t stop criticizing the little master even on his Birthday. Sachin on his birthday was presented a book “Tendulkar, The Irreverent Unauthorised Biography” on behalf of the Mumbai Indians.  The book consists of quotes from his family and former cricketers including the legendary Sir Donald Bradman who considered Tendulkar as a greatest batsman. Wishing All Success and Glory to Sachin on his birthday.

The upcoming match on 25th April 2008, between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab is going to be a treat for the crowd as it is a comeback match for Sachin after his groin injury. Sachin is expected to play the Mohali match. Hope to see two of the greatest players in world cricket open for the very first time – Jayasuriya and Sachin.

Sachin Tendulkar hasn’t commented the precise reason as to why he had pulled out from the Olympics Torch Relay.

Hope to see some action packed Innings from the Bombay Bomber for Mumbai Indians.

Cricket and Olympics is not associated with each other in any means despite that the IOA (Indian Olympic Association) has chosen the Bombay Bomber to carry the prestigious flame. This will be another feather in Sachin’s hat. Sachin in response to that has confirmed that he will participate in this prestigious event. The Mumbai Maestro refused to comment on the ongoing Chino-Tibet issue.

The Torch relay will be carried out by 35 Indian Athletes on April 17th, 2008 shortening the original route between Red Fort and India Gate due to security concerns.

The other Indian Athletes include Milkha Singh (former 400 mts runner), Pullela Gopichand (former All-England Badminton Champion) and Anju Bobby George (long jumper). It is noteable that Indian soccer player Bhaichung Bhutia has refused to carry the flame in protest against Chinese trackdown in a spiritual and a peace-loving country like Tibet. The IAS Officer Kiran Bedy has also refused to take part in the Olympics Torch Relay in protest to the Chinese trackdown in Tibet.

Absence of Sachin Tendulkar and under performance of players like Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Virendra Sehwag in the Second Test Match against South Africa has costed the spirit of Indian Team to the best extent. Viru and Dravid played to the best of their abilities and saved the First Test Match. Ganguly unfortunately failed on both the Test Matches. The impact of this was seen in the score card of the Indian Team as they were bundled out cheaply for 76 runs. At this scenario one would expect the future generation to take up the moral responsibilities to play responsible Cricket in case if the senior campaigners failed to click.

But as far the Indian Team is concerned the young guys failed to deliver in all forms of the game. Indian Team suffered a disaster like this because due to the lack of foot-work and confidence. The young guys’ foot was glued to the ground. They were supposed to move it in and around the ground. Rash strokes resulted in cheap wickets. Players like Dhoni and Jaffer failed to play up to their caliber. Thanks to Irfan Pathan’s knock of rich 21, India had atleast something to show. The question of the moment is how are these guys gonna replace players like Sachin, Ganguly and Dravid. Do they have enough calibers to fill their absence in future?

Rahul Dravid, Virendra Sehwag and Saurav Ganguly’s form or selection in the playing XI is under constant question. The Selectors in the vision of a younger Team have negotiated experienced campaigners like Ganguly, Dravid and Sehwag. Sehwag and Dravid proved their ability in the Chennai Test Match by their respective knocks.

Lets not forget the commitment that Rahul Dravid has done for Indian Cricket. When Indian Cricket Team was in a search for a Wicket Keeper-cum-Batsman he filled the space and kept wickets for Indian Team for a long time (despite wicket-keeping not being his domain). Simultaneously Dravid played many outstanding knocks for Team India.

Dravid is addressed as “The Wall of the Indian Cricket Team” because of his outstanding ability and temperament which has resulted in Indian victory or has saved many matches for Team India. Questioning such a player’s performance in One day Cricket is not acceptable at any scenario.

Virendra Sehwag, one of the finest cricketers that India has ever seen is a person who was seen as a replacement to Sachin Tendulkar. Entirely proved to his critics why he was compared to Sachin. Virendra Sehwag completely dominated the proceedings in Chennai Test Match. For the second time in his career, Sehwag reached triple century in Test Cricket, the first time was against the Arch-rivals Pakistan in Multan.

The Sultan of Multan achieved the feast once again in his country. In the first Test Match against South Africa Viru stormed the South African bowling attack and piled 319 runs. The highest and the quickest run by an Indian batsman in Test Cricket. Virendra Sehwag has not been in a great form recently. His credibility in the team was subject to question mark. The Indian selectors were looking at a younger team. As a result of that Viru was not included within the playing XI in the earlier CB Series.

Virendra Sehwag has given a right answer to his critics and has proved his ability to perform and to adopt any condition. The Selectors must understand Virendra Sehwag’s ability to play such outstanding knocks. It was the senior players like Viru and Dravid who saved the Test Match in Chennai. Having a vision for the future Team, the squad selection must be constructed with the feasibility of the present scenario. The Selectors must pick experienced campaigners as well as give opportunities to deserving youngsters.

Young cricketers’ personal thoughts on their favorite actress is being manipulated and his being projected in a wrong way. This will affect the cricketers’ mindset and will not lead them towards betterment. The rhythm of the cricketers would be affected and this will spoil their reputation as well as their careers.

Yuvraj Singh, the master of 6 sixes seems to have lost his form in the recent Series. Neither did he perform in the Test Match nor in the ODI (One Day International) Matches. Many people believe that the young Indian vice captain was linked with an upcoming actress (Deepika Padukone) in India. The Media must stop manipulating the personal wishes and the personal desires of Cricketers for the common cause. The Media should focus on professional aspects from these professional players.

India managed to reach the finals of the CB Series with an average performance. The leading veteran Sachin didn’t show the glimpse of his aggressive form in the initial stage of the game. Indian batting order toiled a hard to face the seam of the Australians and the Lankans. The much projected youngsters failed to capitalize opportunities given to them. It was Sachin Tendulkar’s aggressive form in the last stage of the match which internally inspired his fellow young mates to have an upper hand in the Series. Sachin’s innings in the both the final matches reminded us what experienced campaigners can do at a crucial juncture of the game. Having this said, Gautham Gambhir, Robin Uthappa and Rohit Sharma played a good knock by rallying behind Sachin Tendulkar. Facing such a major factor it is surprising to see the Indian captain M.S. Dhoni saying he is vindicated by choosing an young team.

If Sachin would have not performed in the crucial matches, India’s fate would have ended in misery. Dhoni must improvise on his statements, not only on his statements but on his own form also as a player.

Sachin Tendulkar, a proud Indian is delighted in getting such prestigious award. The award came at right time. Even the British Prime Minister Mr. Gordon Brown has considered Little Master’s name for Knighthood. Govt of India has rightly rewarded India’s Greatest Son with Padma Vibhusan.

Sachin Tendulkar has played vital role in the development of the Game and has inspired 2 generations of cricketers by his class and charisma. Many new Players who are making impressive impact in Indian Cricket have been inspired by Sachin at one point of time.

Sachin Tendulkar is the prime trump Card for Indian Cricket. Throughout this decade many veteran bowlers like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akthar had nightmare in bowling to the Master Blaster.

Sachin Tendulkar is an experienced Cricketer who has played in 408 Matches (as of today) in ODI and the highest run taker, with 15,972 runs under his belt. In the longer version of the game he has played in 146 matches with 11,782 runs under his belt.

Sachin Tendulkar’s Innings in Sharjah against Australia in April 1998 (Sandstorm Innings) is one of the electrifying Innings. Neither the sandstorm or the Australians were able to stop the Bombay Bomber. That Innings was a real treat for Cricket Lovers.

Cricket fans will truly appreciate this award to Sachin Tendulkar.